That's a really nice summary, thanks for the link. Looks like a really interesting fight, especially because of one thing they missed, I think Wawrinka will play Basel, so it looks like Stan and Blake will play the same four events, with Wawrinka needing to outpoint Blake by a fair margin, potentially leading to an interesting head-to-head in a quarter or semi. Assuming, that is, that JMDP or Tsonga don't come over the top of them.

It's quite tough to see anybody else pulling it off, given current form, but you never know, of course. Hopefully someone from outside the top 8 will make a strong run and earn a spot with some big performances, rather than just grinding their way in with decent results.

he sure is. i dont think 4 players will get above 400 points to pass him.

Well, you can never be too sure...Roddick is still a big threat, Del Potro is showing few signs of letting up, and Blake and Gonzalez are capable of one/two further strong showings. But a handful of wins in the Masters events (or a strong run in one of his home MM events) should put it beyond doubt.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wacked82

well its official that both simon and almargo season are over. Both losing in the first round in metz.

Almagro is a waste of space off the clay, so I don't think many were holding their breath over him, and, as has been said in a few posts above, we knew that Simon would have to enter unchartered waters in the upcoming Masters events...not totally impossible for him, but highly unlikely, as you say.

I think we're looking at a serious chance that the bar for the top 8 will be raised by the end of the week...Del Potro or Gonzalez could do this if either of them wins the Tokyo title (322 or 317 - potential new bar), and, certainly for the former, this a very real possibility.

The day's action isn't quite over, but as we're interested primarily in the immediate battle for Shanghai, it is possible to give a "complete" update...

Most compelling is that Del Potro is now finally up to #9, and should he beat Gasquet in Tokyo SF, he will move to within just 2 pts of Blake, at #8.

Gasquet is on the move...now up to #19. But has he left it a little too late?

And credit should go to Roddick for scrapping his way to the SF, all for a massive 2 pt gain... Don't really see the point of him committing to Lyon, when his "best 5th" optional result will be either 22 pts (if he loses Tokyo SF) or 24 pts (if he makes Tokyo final), meaning that he'd have to play the final (31 pts for runner-up, 45 pts for winner) to gain anything...this tournament being sandwiched between Madrid and Paris.

And credit should go to Roddick for scrapping his way to the SF, all for a massive 2 pt gain... Don't really see the point of him committing to Lyon, when his "best 5th" optional result will be either 22 pts (if he loses Tokyo SF) or 24 pts (if he makes Tokyo final), meaning that he'd have to play the final (31 pts for runner-up, 45 pts for winner) to gain anything...this tournament being sandwiched between Madrid and Paris.

He only started playing Lyon when he became sponsored by Lacoste...... coincidence?......probably not. He plays way too many optionals and schedules them poorly. This is nothing new for him, unfortunately.

Maybe, but he never played there before 2005 and has always used Babolat... maybe it's a coincidence and around the same time, he got a new contract with Babolat and they asked him to play there. I really don't know. Anyway, doesn't really matter. He plays too many optionals all year long, not just in the fall

The day's action isn't quite over, but as we're interested primarily in the immediate battle for Shanghai, it is possible to give a "complete" update...

Most compelling is that Del Potro is now finally up to #9, and should he beat Gasquet in Tokyo SF, he will move to within just 2 pts of Blake, at #8.

Gasquet is on the move...now up to #19. But has he left it a little too late?

And credit should go to Roddick for scrapping his way to the SF, all for a massive 2 pt gain... Don't really see the point of him committing to Lyon, when his "best 5th" optional result will be either 22 pts (if he loses Tokyo SF) or 24 pts (if he makes Tokyo final), meaning that he'd have to play the final (31 pts for runner-up, 45 pts for winner) to gain anything...this tournament being sandwiched between Madrid and Paris.

yeah its little too late, if he had won today and taken out the title. he would have had a chance.

just look like del potro will replace blake the rest of the spots are safe.

The day's action isn't quite over, but as we're interested primarily in the immediate battle for Shanghai, it is possible to give a "complete" update...

Most compelling is that Del Potro is now finally up to #9, and should he beat Gasquet in Tokyo SF, he will move to within just 2 pts of Blake, at #8.

Gasquet is on the move...now up to #19. But has he left it a little too late?

And credit should go to Roddick for scrapping his way to the SF, all for a massive 2 pt gain... Don't really see the point of him committing to Lyon, when his "best 5th" optional result will be either 22 pts (if he loses Tokyo SF) or 24 pts (if he makes Tokyo final), meaning that he'd have to play the final (31 pts for runner-up, 45 pts for winner) to gain anything...this tournament being sandwiched between Madrid and Paris.

He's gay. He didn't want to see Mardy getting married

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